Friday, December 23, 2005

Interesting to know this person...

He turned lot of things..

http://www.historybuff.com/library/refnast.html

Thomas NastThe Power of One Person's Wood Engravings
By R. J. Brown Editor-in-Chief

Thomas Nast is a perfect example of the importance of knowing our heritage and just how many legacies one person can leave behind. Thomas Nast, through his wood engravings, helped to shape customs not only in America but also throughout the world.
Thomas Nast was born on September 27, 1840 in Landau, Germany. Following the tradition of thousands that immigrated to America, young Nast, his sister, and his mother came to the United States in 1846 while his father followed four years later.
Following their arrival in new York, Mrs. Nast enrolled her two children in public schools. While his sister was able to make the changes, Thomas found it difficult to adjust. In addition to not being able to speak English, he disliked school work. This continued for many years. Young Thomas as in danger of flunking out.
A neighbor made candles and crayons for a living. He would give Thomas a reject crayons. While young Thomas would spend hours drawing, he could not stand to do a minute of school work. Finally, when Nast was 12, the school master talked to his parents into pulling Thomas out of regular school and enrolling him into an art school. Three years later, at the age of 15, he had to quit art school due to financial problems. He sought employment.
It was difficult enough for a 15-year-old to get a job but it was more difficult since Thomas could not read or write. Since he was short and fat, manual labor was also out. The only skill he had to offer was his ability to draw what he saw. In those days there was a rigid apprenticeship established to obtain a job as an illustrator. One just didn't get hired for that sort of job without being an apprentice first -- except for Thomas Nast, however.
By sheer guts, Nast walked into the offices of Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper and asked for a job as an illustrator. When he was turned down this didn't stop him. He was determined to get hired so he became persistent.
Finally, tiring of not being able to get past the receptionist, one day he waited for the right moment and slipped past her and marched into the publisher's office and requested a job as an illustrator. Frank Leslie viewed the young man's request as absurd. It just wasn't done that way. In jest, Leslie gave Nast an "assignment". It was to go down to the Christopher Street Ferry house in lower Manhattan during the rush hour and draw a picture of the crowd boarding the ferry. Hardly a news-worthy event.
To the publisher's surprise, Nast returned the next morning with the completed drawing. Leslie was so impressed that he hired Thomas Nast on the spot! (That particular was never published.)
It was while working at Frank Leslie's that Thomas Nast learned the art of wood engraving. From 1855 to 1858, Thomas Nast worked for Frank Leslie's.
In 1858 Leslie's was in a financial pinch and several staff members were laid off -- Nast included. For a year Nast found employment in an art studio. In 1859 he tried his hand at a political cartoon. He rendered a drawing depicting the police scandal that was going on in the New York City police department. Nast showed this drawing to the publisher of Harper's Weekly where it was accepted and published.
Nast worked at Harper's Weekly for only about one year before the New York Illustrated News offered to hire him at twice the salary he had been making at Harper's. They wanted him to illustrate current events in Europe. Suddenly, Nast was noticed! Faced with a salary that was hefty and an opportunity to travel the world, Nast hurriedly left Harper's Weekly. He now had the best of both worlds -- until it came to being paid that is. For a short time he got paid on a regular basis but soon was paid in script (an IOU). He never did collect any more actual money owed him by the New York Illustrated News. Stranded in London, Nast worked for the London Illustrated News to raise money to get back to New York.
When the Civil War broke out in America in 1861, Nast wanted to enlist but was assured by his friends that he could do more by covering the war as an illustrator. Nast, although still ashamed of leaving Harper's in a hurry just 2 years earlier, returned to them to seek employment. Harper's rehired him. For the duration of the war, Nast spent his time illustrating many battles and scenes from the war. Nast did 55 signed engravings for Harper's Weekly between 1862 and 1865.
Thomas Nast is best known for his Christmas drawings. His first appeared in Harper's Weekly for Christmas of 1862. His Christmas drawings mark the first appearance of Santa Claus as we know him today. Prior to this, Santa had passed through a series of stages beginning with a more religious-type figure.
The inspiration for how Nast's Santa should look came from Clement Moore's poem 'Twas a Night Before Christmas. Still lacking reading skills, he had his wife read to him while he prepared his drawings and engravings. On one occasion, Mrs. Nast read Clement Moore's poem to Thomas. That was all it took for inspiration.
The next 24 years saw Nast produce 76 Christmas engravings that were signed and published. Nast used Moore's poem to put it all together in visual form; a sleigh, reindeer, jolly old elf, filling the stockings hung by the chimney, and so forth.
In addition, Nast used his own imagination to expand upon the theme. He was the first to establish that Santa's home was in the North Pole. In this way, Santa didn't belong to any one country -- he became a citizen of the world. The concept of Santa having a workshop and elves to help him were also Nast's idea. Prior to his engravings, all children received gifts from Santa. Nast conceived the idea that bad children didn't get gifts from Santa. The custom of sending Santa a letter is also due to Thomas Nast. Although the custom of kissing under mistletoe was known in Europe prior to Nast's engravings, it was through his engravings in America that the custom caught on there.
Thomas Nast brought Christmas to a large audience through his engravings. The result of the impact that these drawings had on American's is astronomical. In Europe, Christmas was observed for centuries on December 6. By the late 1800's when Nast's Santa Claus gained popularity, Christmas Day was legally established as December 25 in all states and territories in the United States. In addition, an extended school vacation during this period became a custom. (A brief pause while all students write a thank you note to the Nast estate.)
From this seed, Christmas began the move to commercial and economic interests. Stores began including drawings of Santa (though not necessarily done by Nast) in their ads and tying it in with Christmas sales and promotions. Soon to follow was the custom of sending Christmas cards. Without Nast and his Christmas drawings he brought to the masses, it is hard to tell what Christmas and the customs that go with it would be like today.
Thomas Nast's influence on American's didn't stop with his Christmas drawings. His engravings chronicled the American scene from the Civil War period to the turn of the century. They highlighted every major national event and issue, the political process, elections, and scandal in the government. The American scene was ripe in subject matter for Nast. The country was fast becoming an industrial nation; railroads were spreading, factories were being built, and cities were fast becoming crowded with immigrants that supplied cheap labor. Scandal was everywhere. Elections were being rigged. One of his most famous political cartoon attacks was aimed at Boss Tweed.
Boss Tweed was actually William Marcy Tweed. Tweed and his ring ruled New York's Tammany Hall for years and managed to divert hundreds of millions of dollars from the city to their pockets. The series of cartoons exposing the Tweed ring was Nast's initial campaign against corruption in government. Nast played hard ball and wasn't afraid to make direct accusations. The public outcry became unbearable, Mr. Tweed is quoted as telling Nast at one point that "Let's stop those damned pictures. I don't care so much what the papers write about me -- my constituants can't read, but damn it, they can see pictures." A little over a year of his campaign against Tweed is all it took to put a stop to Tweed, get him arrested, and behind bars.
The little-known side of Thomas Nast is that he could not read or write. This left him with a major handicap. This didn't stop him however. His constant thirst for knowledge found a means to learn. Initially, he had his wife read to him while he did his drawings and engravings. As him income increased, he hired scholars to read to him from science, physics, history, Shakespeare, Dickens, Mark Twain, and so forth. It is from these readings that he gained his knowledge -- and inspiration -- for many of his engravings.
Thomas Nast moved on to become a strong influence in politics through his cartoons and engravings. Columbia, the symbol of America, was created by Nast. In addition, he created the concept of the Republican elephant and Democratic donkey. He also had a hand in how Uncle Sam looks today.
In addition to establishing many of America's political symbols, Nast also publicly supported -- and opposed -- certain candidates for the office of President of the United States. In the campaign of 1872 Nast's cartoons in Harper's Weekly helped to bring about the defeat or Horace Greeley. Greeley had been nominated to run against Ulysses Simpson Grant. The election of 1876 saw Nast support Rutherford B. Hayes. With each successive presidential campaign, Nast picked a candidate to support and produced cartoons and engravings in support of the candidates political platform. In seven presidential elections he never picked a loser.
As if Nast wasn't busy enough, in addition to working for Harper's Weekly, he also started his own publication entitled "Nast Illustrated Almanac." He also illustrated over 70 books including an early copy of Robinson Crusoe. In his later years he toured gave lectures, and did oil paintings.
By 1880 Thomas Nast was described as a wealthy man. His income for 1880 was only slightly less than the president of the United States. He owned some property in Harlem, New York which was valued at $90,000. He also owned $60,000 in government securities. His home in Morristown, New Jersey was valued at $100,000 and was paid for. At his career height (mid-1870's) Harper's Weekly paid him a base salary of $20,000 a year plus $150 for each engraving they published. A large share of his income came from lectures. He was one of the first to illustrate his talks by drawing rapidly on a large sheet of paper as he spoke. This was, perhaps, one of the earliest attempts at "chalk talks."
Harper's Weekly never did put restrictions on Nast's works. It was obvious that their circulation increased as a result of Nast, so they didn't want to edit or censor his material -- he had that much power.
Following the death of Fletcher Harper, however, the new editor named George W. Curtis adopted a more conservative policy. There were many disagreements between Curtis and Nast on particular drawings. As a result, his engravings began appearing less often and never on the cover. This change in editorial policy, combined with the invention of a new reproduction process for illustrations, brought forth Nast's his last two engravings published in the Christmas issue of Harper's Weekly in 1886.
After leaving Harper's, Nast spent more time doing oil paintings. He did many paintings of engravings he had done earlier in his career. In 1890 he published his own newspaper under the title Nast's Weekly. In 1902 he accepted the post as an ambassador to Ecuador. Six months later he died of Yellow Fever.

Three Things about me..

How about 3 things about me..

3 Names I Go BY

Why 3 names, I give you 5 names. Athukku mellai too much. :-)

1. Naren (Official Short name in office)
2. Noisynut (In yahoo messenger)
3. Luna (DhoolGuys will call only in this name)
4. Naresh (My Home)
5. Narendran (According to Birth certificate)

3 Things I Like About Myself

Very talkative, even to unknown stranger.
Easy going and carefree.
Adjustment and patience.

3 things I love to change.

Will believe people easily
Trying to understand everyone in everyone's stance
Carry other's work and responsibility
Too much talkative. need to stop that. Oops!! 4th one.. Bear this one.

3 Parts of My Heritage

Surappa Street in Triplicane, chennai
Triplicane high Road, Triplicane, Chennai
Other parts of Triplicane and Royapettah, Chennai

3 Things That Scare Me

If anyone misinterpret me becoz of my talkative nature..it happens sometimes.
Missin my dudes
How am I going to maintain these relations I have build so far..

3 roles I have played.

The roles I have been through..

Son : Doing good job..No problems and taking responsibilities, no problems
Student : Always been in good relationship with staffs..Surprised when my school biology teacher took to the principal to introduce me.
Work : I do not see much problem here also. Trying to maintain professional relationship..but could not succeed yet.
Friend : Always a donor..

3 Things I Like About Opposite Sex

Not so fair-complexion
Independent and understanding.
Should able to mingle with anyone.

3 Things I Badly Need To Do Right Now

Sleep..now it is 00:30 am
Someone to talk in Tamil..someone talkative like me. Its been long time,( Its been only one month here..but thats long)
Video conferencing facility to show myself to my mother that I am doing great and fine. Friends are cooking for me..Amma.so no problem..Your baby is fine here. Dont worry.

3 Places I Want To Go on Vacation

Europe - want to see and feel the history behind it.
Kashmir - Heard it’s a heaven but have not felt it.
Munnar - My favorite Bench near the lake. Love to Sing Unni Menon's songs lonely when the mist comes down from the mountains nearby. I know the excitement behind it becoz I have done thrice.

3 Things I am Wearing Right Now

Evergreen smile...
T-shirt and Pants. :-)
Rings

3 Things I Wish To Do Before I Die

Wanted to become a successful entreprenuer
Wanted to involve myself in social service after some time and do lot of activites under Nivaran Social Services.
This two is enough.


If anyone wants to know anything more..sent me the questions.. :-)

Sunday, October 23, 2005

Add this to get latest news...

Behindwoods has come out with new script to add dynamic news to our site. Its very cool and the background colour is awesome combined with the colourful images of the personalities.

The new link to check out the script...in Orange Colour

http://www.behindwoods.com/features/newspublish/tamil-movies-news-organge.html

In Green colour

http://www.behindwoods.com/features/newspublish/tamil-movies-news-green.html

Purple Colour

http://www.behindwoods.com/features/newspublish/tamil-movies-news-blue.html

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Days are Longer..

Days are very long nowadays and my current project that is rehosting a system to a new region is good. This work was more about knowing the system and the approach. This did not involve much of coding stuff. But it had many things to learn from it. And today it had run successfully run in our Test region and I can take a break for two days. Tomorrow we may have some fine-tuning and my week end would be miserable if I happen to receive any calls. But thats my work and love it.

Friday, October 21, 2005

Now Namitha's Turn...

Found this Photo very funny, Previously it was Actor Sathyaraj used to imitate like some famous personalities and try his comedy. Now, I suppose it is Actress Namitha's turn.

I was really surprised for the personality, the director of this movie had choosed for her.

http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Gallery/movies/movies8/kovaibrothers/KovaiBrothers04.html


We should hear the same old story of "everything according to the story and script". Nothing can stop them..

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

My Last Three Sundays..

It’s been a month. It could have been two reasons, either I should be dead or rocking a lot. Luckily I was well alive and kicking too much. Last month was too much activity for me.

Second week of September was in Ooty – Mudumalai with my teammates. Traveling was hectic but it was nice to be out of chennai among the greeneries. It was very pleasant and stay was great. Think about staying in the forest with river in front of your cottage and deer having their breakfast besides you.

The next Sunday went to Tirupathi with my friends. It was long time we had made trip to tirupathi; it should be nearly two years. This trip was also comfortable; we used to walk from Tirupathi to Tirumala. It was fun walking with your friends for 3 hours.

The next Sunday, went to my friend’s marriage at Bhangarpet near Bangalore. This was too hectic. Started Saturday night and returned back Sunday evening. Started at the last minute and did not want to disappoint that guy.

It was hectic but it was great for last three weeks. And relaxed a bit this week end.

Thursday, September 15, 2005

Have your name...

Check out this below links..cool ones..

Type in your name and see the names in the home page.. .Played this game for 10 minutes..trying out Harry Potter Font, Ferrari, Yahoo,..

http://logo54.com/

And to have your name in Google Page..

http://www.logogle.com/

Enjoy the fun..

Take time to check mine..

http://logo54.com/car/ferrari/font.php?hl=ja&lo=Naren

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Ullam Ketkumae...Watched Today..My Thoughts



Why we liked both Shaam and Laila in Ullam Ketkumae. Only this pair lasted in our minds even after the movie got over. What about innocent Paachu.. Sentimental Dialogues and the evergreen college day fun.

It’s very simple. Love between them got succeeded and got a lasting image even after 2 1/2 hours.

Ullam Ketkumae is another movie of its kind, which got all the essence to rekindle the nostalgia. To be perfect, the college nostalgic feelings. Jeeva played it safe after his unsuccessful attempt in 12B and targeted the exact audience of the movie goers..The youth.

He really wants to make everyone think about the days where fun alone mattered. He had reached the winning lap for this.

When we come out of the movie, we really forget Irene's sacrifice, Priya's Practical Advice, Pooja’s Playfulness and Paachu's Wittiness. We were so happy for Sham and Pooja :-). Love always receives applause and appreciations. You appreciate the thing when you cannot master it. No one in this world can master love and Cine Directors are masters to play their strokes in this area, so did Jeeva and he romps home a bingo.

Ullam Ketkumae is named previously as PEPSI signifying the five characters of the Movie. Pooja, Emman, Priya, Sham and Irene. Jeeva did not waste time of these people from different background and family becoming friends. Story is simple. Pooja loves Sham, Sham loves Priya and luckily the roads are straight in Emman and Irene route and no more triangles in that. What happens in the end? In between we have the sentimental dialogues, Campus funs and fights, and everything was given in a perfect notion. Paachu reminds with his role and so does Venu. To be clear only these characters had some lines to deliver.

Some dialogues lingers your heart. When Irene says to Pooja during Emman Marriage "I do not know whether he would have become this much great if I had said yes". Irene gets her due on sympathy and sacrifice waves. Priya advises to Sham and telling her, he is the best friend. She got herself 'hmm hmm good gal'. Sham gets his share when he addresses in final day of college and his talk to Pooja before she departs in Emman's Party.

Finally Pooja wins the race completely over shadowing in her acting. Irene and Priya are coming like Barbie dolls one in Western and another in Traditional. Sometimes these dolls do some talks and I have mentioned it above. I think this would be the second best movie for Shaam after Iyarkai. Emman plays his part to the okay level and he does not get his best share.

Harris Jeyaraj had his best in background score. ThottaTharani should also be given his due share of appreciation. Jeeva should be credited for his Characterization which does play a huge in these kind of College films and also for his Camera works.

At the end, I really feel ashamed. I have not even proposed to a girl. But getting one does mattered the most. Gosh. Why I went back to my old days :-) Is this because of this movie :-)

Sunday, September 04, 2005

Kings in Queensland...


Everything was planned to perfect..I would give 10 on 10 for this groundwork. It was decided that Rajendra Kumar will take care of the entrance stuff and other expenses will be handled by our Sivaraj. The Date, The Venue, the host and the guests everyone are ready..
Everyone would bring bikes and assembler near Rohini Theatre. I did not had any plans on taking my bike (Yamaha RX135). I have not done a long drive in that, but It was necessary to bring it.
No other go, called my friend and exchanged the two-wheelers. And poor Bharathi Mohan had to sit behind me. I have not driven Yamaha Enticer and I really loved to drive that. I wanted to drive that vehicle on the highway and it was really a cool one. Of course, Bharathi had other thoughts.
Everyone was really surprised to me in that vehicle. We reached Queensland and JK was missing.How is guy missed this landmark ? Surprising..and we could understand he would not have received any help from person behind.
It was very dry and hot. We waited for Anandh, Senthil, RK and his cousins in the lobby. Around School Kids were playing and making fun of each other. It is very crowded and someone reminded it is sunday, so expect for more. Within 3 minutes, another three buses from a college found his way to this theme park. But, where our guys went off.. I could smell some smoke coming the other side. Guys are puffing off..OKay..
First we had the first ride..huge one..moving up and down..amazing to see people shouting with excitement. We took some cool snaps and finished our first stint. And juices and snacks to start our fun filled journey..Pulling each other's legs..Chatting about the college days..
It was very humid and made everyone to sweat. Nothing can bring down our spirits. We did not missed any one ride and made a good progress. Few rides made us to enjoy and few rides made others to enjoy by watching us. By the time, its time for lunch and RK took care of it. We had two people taking care of our needs.
And we did go to Karting and it was fun when our F1 driver Prasanna Bharathi took his lap. Everyone started to chant his name and the crowd were amazed whether this guy is really drive or we are making fun on him. It was also cool to watch Rajesh racing Siva and clocked before him.
Then, We entered to Water World. We had few rides in Water and changed our costumes before plungeing ourselves in Water. Pulling and draging each other and came to know Bolt does not know swimming. We thought it is time to teach him and carried him to deep and throwed him away. Other guys got afraid of us and no one knows, I dont swim.

It was really fun filled day. And we made it count..Thanks to guys who made the trip..

Oru Kaloriyin Kathai laughed at me...

None of the movies listed by me got released on Friday.

Oru Kaloriyin Kathai came to screens silently and it had the last laugh. Not yet watched this movie and it has some expectations for Aarya and Sonia. Back to Back movies for Sonia Agarwar after Oru Naal Oru Kanavu..Lets see how this work..

Check out more about this movie covering the movies gallery, previews , cast n crew and slide show

http://www.behindwoods.com/features/moviesthisweek/orukalluriyinkathai/index.html

Saturday, September 03, 2005

( In or Out of ) Control...

Very Shocking news on the 1st of the month.. I was really surprised why we need a law..had it become such a serious issue.. I can accept no to having Camera Mobiles in the Campus and to some extent about having cell phones. But, dress code is little bit too much. Jeans would not be allowed.. Sorry Guys..I feel very pity for you..

Read the news from The Hindu below.
http://www.hindu.com/2005/09/01/stories/2005090107170100.htm

SAYING NO TO CELLPHONES: To call or not to call will not be an issue anymore.

CHENNAI: Taking its penchant for disciplinarian education a step further, Anna University has banned the use of cell phones and prescribed a dress code for students in all engineering colleges across the State from Thursday.

It will also take a serious view of any film-based cultural events being held in such colleges, Vice-Chancellor D. Viswanathan told The Hindu .
The restrictions will be in force in 227 engineering colleges, apart from the university's four constituent colleges where a ban on camera phones is in force. The varsity has dispatched letters to the effect to the institutions. "There will be no military-like strictness in implementing the rule and institutions have been asked to go about it in a phased manner," Dr. Viswanathan said. Students violating the ban will be warned and then proceeded against according to the code of conduct rules.

The dress code states that students should not wear jeans, t-shirts, skirts or sleeveless and tight-fitting outfits and enjoins them to dress conservatively.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, while certain outfits detract from the seriousness of academic pursuits, cell phones, especially those that come with cameras, cause problems on campus and eat into valuable lecture time.

Student bodies, while welcoming selective restrictions on cell phone use, have come out strongly against the dress code which they see as "an unnecessary move by the varsity which should engage itself instead in improving the content of education and not indulge in such gimmickry."

Tuesday, August 30, 2005


Naren with Smile Showerers.... Posted by Picasa

Monday, August 29, 2005

Coming Friday - September 2rd...

Coming Friday three films may get released and all the movies are very much expected..

1. Totti Jaya

Very much expected movie after Simbhu's Manmadhan and for his get-up like his father...Heard no finger works by Simbhu and songs are also good. After some problem with the producer, this movie would set a benchmark for him. Most negative thing..Gopika..Lets see how she does..

Totti Taadiyoda..

http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Gallery/movies/movies6/thottijaya/index.html

2. Aa Aah

Like the name of the title..SJ Suryah had suffered a lot for this movies..Starting from the name of the itself..First it was B.F and later changed to this name
After the release dates and audio release was done, he got arrested for his previous film NEW.

http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Gallery/movies/movies5/anbeaaruyirae/index.html

Aa Aah - Valiyoda..

3. Ghajni

A movie which can be released with lot of energy and activeness could be Ghajni. Surya had done lot of homework. The expectations are high even the film is dubbed format of 'Memento'.

http://www.behindwoods.com/features/Gallery/movies/movies6/ghajini/index.html

Ghajni - Ursagathoda..

Saturday, August 27, 2005

Nice Picture...Nice Narration..in Tamil



Do not want to miss this out.. Written by my Colleague Guru

The Evolution of Consciousness





Got this while searching for Lord Krishna's Snap..


CIVILIZATION STARTS WITH THE CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL SIDE OF HUMAN EVOLUTION, the evolution of consciousness. The true history of civilization is of those harbingers of evolution, the Prophets, who are actually making history possible. Except for the few rulers who have been benevolent, what we call history today is actually the history of crimes. Read it from that angle—who killed whom, who ruled over whom, who invaded whom. Those who fought wars, invaded or defended each other, are subsidiary, whether in the East or West is immaterial. Certainly Krishna, Rama, Buddha and other such figures existed before Western history was written. The epics are the actual history of mankind.
An American devotee once asked, “But don’t you think, Swamiji, that wherever the military has gone, civilization has grown?” It depends upon how you define civilization. From age to age the kings, emperors and philosophers have been influenced by the truly great ones, whether it was Krishna, Jesus, Buddha, Rama or others. If you carry this back in time you will see that at the change of each age, it is the great ones who establish civilization of any kind, or make possible the next evolution. But because they are viewed as spiritual beings, holy men or women, messengers, we do not consider them to be historical figures—as if history is only created by politics and conquests.

That is where Krishna’s and Rama’s Incarnations are pertinent, because they were both kings and Prophets. The lives of the Prophets are living history, far beyond the kings and emperors of many nations whose names are hardly remembered. They came and went. It is the Prophets who start and end history, the evolutionary process. For each evolution or age the Prophets see what is needed, where we stand, what we can grasp, how to behave with us; which language, which actions, which feelings will carry us to the next evolution. They know what is not known to us: at what level our karmas would be exhausted by their play. They are finishing our karmas, trying to solve our problems, awakening us to evolve, to raise our Consciousness.
Prophets are born in human bodies, therefore part of their life is always human. It cannot be otherwise. If they were to just fly around and do all kinds of occultism, we would not be able to relate to them; there would be no link. Part of them has to be like us in order to communicate and relate to us. This, then, creates difficulties, skepticism—Why, if he was a Prophet, did he do (or not do) this? If Rama weeps for his abducted wife, some think he is behaving like an ordinary husband. However, the inner significance is entirely different. When Krishna weeps for Radha, it creates a history of its own, an example for coming generations and centuries. Krishna’s love was not a common relationship of lover and beloved. It showed what love should and could be—Divine. Radha was lost in love and devotion with her Lord; it was transcendent. Or when Krishna played at stealing the milkmaids’ butter and cream, those ladies loved it. He was stealing the butter—our soul, our spirit—the cream of life, meaning, symbolically: God captures our hearts and souls.

There are many aspects and incidents in each Prophet’s life that, if taken quite ordinarily, could be misunderstood. So it was with Jesus, Buddha, Rama and Krishna. Krishna’s life, however, is the most misunderstood and the greatest enigma; not only because of the variety of things he did, but also because his was the most perfect manifestation of Divinity. But in spite of that, after nearly five thousand years he still lives and grows in our consciousness. Why? It seems a contradiction but on a deeper level it is not. That is the only way it could be. In the Srimad Bhagavatam, the story of Krishna’s play on earth, the author, Vedavyas, wrote that if you truly want to understand Krishna, you have to be very, very pure.
Though he played a role that included violence, Krishna was truly Love Incarnate. Love was the basis of his character. Wisdom he had in full glory—he was Almighty, as he revealed his Universal Form to Arjuna. But Krishna fought only as a last resort; even in the Mahabharat war he did not fight. His expression and manifestation throughout life was love. He loved and protected the downtrodden, the simple people, honest lovers of God, devotees. He protected them against exploitation. He defended simplicity of heart. He could be simple with simple people. A story from his life illustrates this:
Sudama, a Brahmin boy, was one of Krishna’s best friends during their school days. He was a great devotee of Krishna. Eventually Krishna became King and built a golden kingdom on the western coast of India. Sudama was devout but very poor, married to a poor but noble wife; they had several children. When hard times came, there was no food and the children were on the verge of starvation, Sudama’s wife reminded him of Krishna. “He was your great friend in school and now he is King of Dwaraka. Why don’t you go to him and ask him to help us.” Sudama was reluctant to ask for money or food from Krishna; he did not want to spoil their loving friendship. But they were desperate, so Sudama finally agreed to go. But before leaving he told to his wife, “I can’t go empty-handed. I should take something, as an offering at least.” So she tied some puffed rice into a cloth—all that they had to eat—and tucked it into his waist, saying, “Offer him this.”
Sudama walked all the way from his village and after days reached the golden city. But once outside Krishna’s palace, he felt very shy and berated himself for coming. “I might have been his friend in school, but now he’s King and I am nobody. What merit have I to even meet him, let alone ask him for anything?” Sudama wrestled back and forth in his mind, but since he had traveled so far, he finally sent a message to Krishna that Sudama, his school friend, had come.
Krishna’s life history is an epic in itself, and within that, Sudama was, as if, a non-entity. But when his message reached Krishna, the Lord immediately came running to meet his friend. Sudama stood there in simple clothes and Krishna came and embraced him as if no time had passed between them. Sudama was amazed—Krishna, I am not worthy of this—but Krishna told him, “Don’t worry, you are my friend,” and took him inside the palace. Krishna’s queen, Rukmini, then came and together they washed Sudama’s feet. In those days in Bharat—even today in some homes—it was the custom to wash the feet of guests. They come on dusty roads, often without socks or even shoes.
Sudama was made to sit on a plush, velvet-covered seat and they fed him a sumptuous meal. Afterwards Krishna had Sudama sit by his side and inquired, “Tell me, what can I do for you, Sudama?” By that time Sudama was melting. He could not comprehend what he was seeing and experiencing, how Krishna could treat him so tenderly. He was very humbled, so much so that he forgot all about why he had come. He could not ask for anything. Meanwhile, Krishna asked Sudama, “Did you bring anything for me?” Now Sudama was so shy, so modest, he could not even respond. There he was in Krishna’s palace, being served on plates of silver and gold, and all he had brought was a handful of puffed rice! But Krishna knew everything. Sudama tried to say, “I didn’t bring anything,” but Krishna was clever. “You have brought one thing,” he said, and with his own hands caught hold of the bundle of puffed rice, opened it and began to eat it.
Sudama by that time was totally melted. Krishna asked him again, “What can I do for you? Just tell me.” But Sudama was shy and simply said, “I have your love and your friendship. That is more valuable to me than anything.” Krishna told him, however, “When you return home, your days will now be better.” And it is written that when Sudama returned home, where his simple hut had stood was a mansion, and his wife came to meet him bedecked in jewels and fine clothing.
Each Prophet played his role on Earth in his own way. But Krishna’s life is the perfection of Leela (God’s play), as God would be with all beings—whether virtuous or sinner, strong or weak, high or low, man or woman, rich or poor, talented or illiterate. His Incarnation is a flawless example of how the Creator deals with His creation in all respects. On whichever level of consciousness you exist, He meets you there. If He were to mechanically deal with everyone uniformly, it would have no meaning, nor would it benefit us.
Love is the only all-attractive reality and Krishna and love are synonymous. He stands by the simple-hearted people, the lowly, the downtrodden, to whom injustice has been done. He is a perfect lawgiver, a perfect lover, a perfect warrior and a perfect peacekeeper. To understand the significance of his life is very revealing. It is no small thing that he still lives after so many thousands of years. When we understand Krishna’s love, we will understand God’s love. Then everything else will be revealed.

Edited from Krishna—The Power of LoveAudio Satsangs of Swami Amar Jyoti
The Wisdom of Swami Amar Jyoti Krishna’s Love for SudamaSatsang of Prabhushri Swami Amar Jyoti© 2003 TRUTH CONSCIOUSNESS

Many More Happy Returns of the Day.....




I love festivals. It is obvious, Festivals and Fun get along each other..Many of them are unique in their own style..own habits..own practices.. Today it is one of it kind..

Krishna Jayanthi.. Got remember the old days when I used to keep my legs :-)
believe me..when I was kid..and after some years..took nearby kid for the leg impression and later years..started to keep my hands for the leg STAMP.. And now we do not have to spare some time for the celebrations.

Coming home just to taste the Murukku, Seedai and Soondal...Everything was over by this time..Atleast thought of singing him the birthday song..


Happy Birthday to you !!!!
Happy Birthday to you !!!!
Happy Birthday to dear Krishna !!!!
Happy Birthday to you !!!!

Will wait for the next year for celebrations.. :-)

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Not an Experiment to Prove...

A discussion in orkut about "how we can prove someone that we love her/him???"

http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=76732&tid=12344904&na=2&nid=

Love is definitely not an experiment to prove it..When we are going to prove something..we need to do some preparations..When we do some preparations.. then it is not our natural instincts.At any point of time, we may rather get attracted by someone. but everything is not love.

When you are in love with someone, each other can easily identify the relationship, the basic difference between ..Let it be from the Sweet Looks to the Naughty grins..These things comes naturally..and should be enjoyed as it comes..

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Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Surprised...

I was searching about the landmarks in Triplicane and google dutifully showed me the "Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt". This mutt is located near the Gangaikondan Mandapam. This is very famous and would jam packed on Thursday. I have heard that Super Star would also come to this temple previously.
When Google showed me the page, automatically i went to check what kind of information this site is giving. To my surprise, it does not have any information related to Raghavendra Mutt instead about a Church. http://srsmutt.tripod.com/

I really do not know why is it like this..

Monday, August 22, 2005

Lets write a Story..



A interesting group in Orkut.. "Lets write a story.." Found a thread in the forum and added my story in the below link..

http://www.orkut.com/CommMsgs.aspx?cmm=44413&tid=7285364

Naren

Sunday, August 21, 2005

Aircel's - A Word A Day




Aircel had introduced a new feature... Receive the meaning of a Word.. It is very nice feature to be incorporated..Wonderful feature to be included in their service..

Would be very helpful for Students and Professionals. Nothing comes free in this world..They charge Rs.20 per month. if we opt for this feature.


To get the usage for the word, they would charge another Rs.3 for the message.

But, the Rs.20 would do for people like me. I can get to know about a word daily.

To opt for this plan, SMS "ENG YES" to 2277 and learn a word daily.

Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Cancer is not my Sunsign...

Cancer is not my sunsign but I have been using this word a lot in last week. I really do not know I would utter this word this much times and search for his symptoms and signs.
Did not think I would have these many bad news in these three days..It was really too much for a
person of my kind..Friday, Saturday and Sunday..it had given me a break from regular life.
It is like someone throwed a stone on your fast moving car...I had to put a definite brake..It
did made me turn back..I was shocked though..

Friday was auspious day definitely not to die..But My friend did. He passed away by throat
cancer .
Saturday heard Mohan's father passed away by throat Cancer.
Sunday got a news that Sunitha is no more with us and Lung Cancer had taked her away.

But these things made me search for what would be symptoms of Cancer..Please a time to peep into this.
http://www.cancure.org/cancer_symptoms.htm
http://www.cancer-info.com/danger.htm

Our Class Yahoogroups..Itsece.

Our class normally does not share the happy news but nowadays we do not share any bad news too. It had improved from dumb, dumber and the dumbest. I went to peak level of deleting my yahoo groups.when most of us does not know our friend is no more and she was suffering for 2 years.

Its R.Karthik and me created this groups, thought the interaction would atleast increase after College days.. We discussed a lot about naming our groups and finally came to this name. Nothing got shared..Every news are like gossips, she got married..He stays in the State, She got a kid and he works in this company. Fine..its their life.

Mind got over my thoughts and put that break. And my groups does exist. But very very dumb though..

First and last visit to my friend's home...

Somethings shake you a bit, one such was my Class mate death.. She was unique in her way and she proved to be unique in her death too. she had lung cancer and was suffering for last two and half years. And was totally bed ridden for last three months.. I do not know what happened for last three years.

When I heard Lung Cancer, Immediately I got remembered of the Breathing problems she faced in our Second year tour. She suffered a lot and we sorted out with a local doctor's help. Something stuck me whether we missed out anything here. God Only knows..
She will be always be remembered when any of our Classmate sees the Linda Goodman's Book. This is for some obvious reasons though.

Anyway, Sunitha take care..you must be waiting for us..Only thing you would have reached faster than us. The ticket is confirmed for everyone but the mode of travel may vary.

Sunday, August 14, 2005

My Saturday Night in...

I called it a day and started walking to my home..it would be five kilometres..but some times..I do this lonely walk..I really enjoy it.

When I crossed Ispahani Center, something stuck me about Shyam. He called me around evening but could not talk to him..Busy with my work :-) believe me..Production Problem. Gave that call to check he is in the office. To my surprise he was there..

We planned to eat outside..I used to go out with friends to these Non-Veg restaurants even on Saturday..Immediately I suggested Anjappar which is just opposite to his office.We landed in and ordered for Dosai, Ceylon Parotta, Gobi 65 and Veg Chettinad Curry and told them about being Strictly Veg on Saturday...That includes Egg too..

We were chatting and I was explaining about the Insurance Plans..About the Data Storage happening in my industry..Films and about Alumni Meet ..

Almost we have completed our Chatting and the food..Then I realised untouched Gravy..My mind said do not waste the food..First time I realised the I/O speed was more than the Processor..My Hands reacted very quickly than the Mind..And the gravy in my plate..
Thought I would enjoy the two remaining parathas with the gravy..But I saw something very soft thing coming along with the gravy..Heart was praying..it should be Paneer..But..the reality always checkmates you.. It is mutton piece..God !! everything stopped for one second..I could not control my temper that moment...

Called for the supervisor who didnt take orders for us..Checked what it is..Coolly that guy said Mutton gravvy sir..I could not control any further of this..And informed the concerned Supervisor and the server..

Anjappar was my favourite outlet at any time..Today it was really bad experience for me..Prayed to Perumal about the mistake happened and said to him never will this happen..But he can only have the last laugh..

Friday, August 05, 2005

The Search ends here....

Don’t think I am promoting any search engines. In my case we do not need any search engine to search for. The result is very clear but the route to reach the destination may vary. Death..

What made to me write about it.. I felt, I am a workaholic (stay most in office :-) and do not spend much time to spend with my family or friends for quite few days. Life is cyclic routine but I enjoyed it. I really loved my work, engaging with my team and involving myself in their work. It was really great. Finally, My friend’s death asked me what's for I am missing all those relations. The bottom most thing is everything about Money. This guy 31 year old, having a 2 yr old kid, passed away because of Throat Cancer.

This Guy had been working for five years in my company and had a great trip to UK and USA. Now he was settling in Chennai. No one answer his mother's agony. While discharging the hospital he was carrying only two bed sheets with him. At a spark instance, thought earning this two would do for our life. I learned enjoy your earnings and do not keep earning money alone. Then, you would lose the thrill of earning money.

I had wondered a Gutkha owner bought a Mayback car worth five crores and presented to hi daughter.. Just to bring his daughter to the limelight and see her worthless smile..

There would be definitely another side for each topic but I do not want to involve in that.

How can I name it..

Hi Guys,

This may sound like Ilaiyaraaja's album, but this is very simple. When you could not find any name or the name you ask for is not available, this would be best way to name it. Here starts my "How can I name it".
Enjoy reading it and enter your comments.

Regards,
Naren